France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Clos Fourtet

Clos Fourtet Premier Grand Cru Classe B Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Slow to unfurl, because this is a strong limestone identity which needs time to soften in the glass, but there are stunning gunsmoke, elderflower and white blossom aromatics, along with pumice stone and chalk tannins. Extremely clear limestone fingerprint, cruchy fruits, quite a physical reaction to the wine, good precision and clarity, 30hl/h yield. Harvest 25 September to 11 October, 40% new oak. 3.43pH. A more reserved Clos Fourtet compared to the last few vintages, needs time, potential upscore in bottle.

Inside Bordeaux

(barrel sample)
Ruby red. Delicate nose with perfume, salinity, violets, blueberries and exotic spice. Fresh acidity. Blueberries, cassis, minerals, spice and crowberries. Polished tannins. Very long. 95-97p

Expert

Mathieu Cuvelier marks 20 years of the Cuvelier family at Clos Fourtet with this vintage, and it's a wonderful attestation to the potential of limestone plateau location for coping with a changing climate in Bordeaux. Visually arresting in its deep plum and violet colour, with a luscious texture, and plenty of subtle red roses and peony floral aromatics. Creamy black and blue fruits, and sublimely well measured tannic extraction, with crunchy salinity on the finish, oyster shell and salt-flecked chocolate notes. Super smooth finish. First year with the addition of Les Grandes Murailles vineyard. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants (working together since 2009). Not too interventionist, no cold soaks here, natural yeasts, with whole bunch ferments for the young vines. Harvest September 9 to 27. 3.54ph. 40% new oak, 58% second-fill barrels, 2% amphoras.

A blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, Clos Fourtet 2021 is deep garnet-purple in color. It comes prancing out with gregarious notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and blueberry pie, opening out to wafts of violets, star anise, chocolate mint, and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive intensity of red and black fruit layers, complemented by a plush texture and refreshing acidity, finishing long and fragrant.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Clos Fourtet is a little closed to begin, starting off with cedar and crushed rocks notions before scents of black cherry compote, wild blueberries, and dark chocolate emerge, plus suggestions of violets and licorice. The full-bodied palate is packed with tightly wound, muscular black fruits, supported by ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. The blend is 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc.

11.09.22

Bdx-messe. Fokus på 2019-årgangen.

Deilig på duft. Nydelig på smak. Veldig bra potensialet.

Clos Fourtet 2018 is deep garnet purple in color. It bounds out with bold notes of plum preserves and chocolate-covered cherries, plus touches of charcuterie, fragrant earth, and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, firm and tautly structured, the palate is densely laden with muscular black fruits, lifted by appealing brightness and a savory finish. 

Still young, austere on the opening, with gorgeous freshness, violet flowers and edges of creamy grilled caramel. The acidity comes in waves, and the tight tannins suggest this has a long life but needs a few more years to really open up and let the red fruits out. This was a frost year, with Clos Fourtet suffering a 20% loss, and the areas that were untouched were pretty much pure limestone, which explains both the austerity, and the stunning mouthwatering finish. 32hl/h yield. 60% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants, delivering one of the wines of the vintage in St Emilion.

Huge depth of colour, this delivers aromatics to dive right into, packed with violet flowers and baked fruit. The tannic structure remains young and very much in control, with edges of austerity, cradling the fruit, but once you wade through the first few moments, things relax to show creamy raspberry, black cherry and damson, with cocoa bean, espresso, sandalwood, incense, tobacco leaf. Pretty closed down at the moment, great lift on the finish and the sappy saline character, with an eucaluyptus, from ripe Merlot on limestone, just a beautiful wine that you will want to share, but give it time. 60% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

This feels exuberantly young, with ripe fleshy damson and blackberry fruits, balanced by a measured slow-build of acidity, giving precision and restraint. Touch of smoked caramel, even a flash of crème de cassis heat, set against oyster shell and saffran, and the complex interplay of flavour and texture that makes Clos Fourtet such an exceptional wine. 60% new oak, Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

Young and structured, with fine tannins are are fully in control, this remains pretty serious in its construction as it ticks on towards the 10 year mark. Black cherry and damson fruit, orange zest, pomegranate, slate, dried roses, a sombre but exceptionally well structured and finessed Clos Fourtet, full of promise. 60% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

Soft rose-petal pink, less intensity than the more celebrated vintages but this is also where the impact of the limestone terroir really comes in use, as it gives a subtle and distinct oyster-shell salinity that adds interest and poise. Ready to drink but still very much in its window, this is really a 2013 to look out for, full of pleasure, with soft tannins, raspberry puree fruit, with roses and cold ash coming in waves on the finish. Very pretty, one to allow yourself to be surprised by. 60% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Clos Fourtet delivers serious tobacco leaf, tar, and mocha scents with a core of prunes, cedar, and raisin cake. The medium to full-bodied palate is a tad tired and chewy with the firm tannins finishing a little hard.

Deep ruby colour, this was a dry but relatively cool vintage, and right now it is exuding class and balance. The tannins are beginning to fully soften and melt into the structure, releasing campfire smoke, tobacco, saffran and red cherries, all buoyed up by still-fresh acidites. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants. 80% new oak, Mathieu Cuvelier owner.

Lovely deep plum colour, vivid violet reflections, this delivers exactly what you want from a 2010 - with clarity of blackberry and bilberry fruit, waves of fresher pomegranate and juicy greengage, a ton of liquorice, fennel and gunsmoke, taut with tension and precisely-cut tannins. Exceptional quality. 80% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

A little reserved on the nose at first, you have to seach for this one, but it is there once the tannins roll back. Another of the classic Bordeaux vintages, with black cherry and raspberry fruit, packed with black pepper spice, soy and searing oyster shell that is such a delicious signature of these limestone soils. Tertiary character beginning to assert itself, the tannins are still giving plenty of structure and support, but the emphasis is spice, tobacco and woodsmoke over fruit. 80% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

Engaging and vibrant in its soft plum character. Expect waves of raspberry, red cherry, tobacco, black olive, white pepper, soot, campfire, all curling up out of the glass. A great quality wine, gentle and welcoming, and full of estate signature. This was tasted a good 12 hours after opening, and yet it was still full of life - a great sign that this has a long life ahead of it. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants. 80% new oak, Mathieu Cuvelier owner.

Desverre litt forbi sin topp for min del. Merkelig, forventer mindre sekundære aromaer i 2005 årganger her, men for stort preg av typ blyantspiss.

Fortsatt drikkbar, men mangel av frukt som redder inn og en fremdeles kraftig tanninstruktur. Kanskje en ikke topp flaske?

85

Amateur

Waves of fragrant violet and peony flowers on the nose, along with tobacco leaf, roses and ecualyptus. This is a classic vintage but don't underestimate just how delicious it is, with the fruit is still pretty dark and intense, cassis and crushed raspberry, with edges of bitter cocoa bean, soy, turmeric and black pepper spice. The tannins at this point are fully integrated, flirting with opening up and allowing the fruit to flood the palate. 100% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

The arrival of the heat wave in 2003 was more abrupt and prolonged than in 2022 (although less dry), and you feel the exoticism to the baked spices, incense, truffle, tar, softening at this point with grilled cedar smoke, cured leather and smoked meat. Everything is underpinned by the salinity of the limestone, showcasing the benefit of the location, and the barely-there tannins are melted into the structure. Slap-bang in its drinking window, no need to wait any longer to enjoy. 100% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

2001 was the first vintage under the Cuvelier family, and at 22 years old this still retains a deep rose-red colour, and the most stunning nose, with aromatics of crushed rose petals, white truffles, leather and soot. The fruit character remains intense, raspberry and redcurrant of a cooler, finessed vintage, heading to sweet fragrant wild strawberry as it opens, with touches of walnut and nutmeg spice. So alive, and so moreish, superb. Tony Ballu remained as winemaker with the change of owners, as he had been since replacing Pierre Lurton here in 1991, 100% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consultants.

Brick colour with an orange rim. Truffles, licorice, light figs and dates. Fresh acidity. Lean and delicate with sweet sour fruits towards mature cherries, cassis and salty licorice. Integrated supple tannins. Long.

Drink from now until 2030(?)

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Clos Fourtet
Vintages	1994
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	%
Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

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